Jim Vance’s departure from WRC’s 11 PM news broadcast isn’t just a blow for local fans of Washington’s favorite newscaster. Even high-profile expats are mourning the fact that the 73-year-old is stepping away from the late local news, as evidenced by the latest promo for Foo Fighters’ July 4 concert at Robert F. Kennedy Stadium.
The ad, which the band posted on YouTube Thursday evening, features a yokel in a Baltimore Orioles cap watching television on his couch and talking to a “hon” at the Road Ducks reunion. The screen in the video shows a classic Vance moment from 2008, in which he closed out a 6 PM broadcast with a clip from Paris Fashion Week in which a runway model stumbles twice, prompting Vance and George Michael to burst into on-air hysterics. The clip has enjoyed a long run as a viral video and frequently turns up in the top search results for either Vance or “news anchor can’t stop laughing.”
The Foo Fighters ad, which is titled “Jim Vance, we’re gonna miss you,” ends by purportedly cutting into the klutzy model’s reaction to the stumble, except in this shot, the model is replaced by former Springfield resident Dave Grohl, who appears in a blonde wig and tear-streaked makeup before the frame freezes with details for the concert.
Grohl’s tears might be a bit premature. Vance isn’t retiring in full. While his longtime chair at 11 PM will be filled by Jim Handly, Vance plans to stick around on News4’s 6 PM broadcast until his contract runs out in 2017.
Don’t Miss Another Big Story—Get Our Weekend Newsletter
Our most popular stories of the week, sent every Saturday.
Benjamin Freed joined Washingtonian in August 2013 and covers politics, business, and media. He was previously the editor of DCist and has also written for Washington City Paper, the New York Times, the New Republic, Slate, and BuzzFeed. He lives in Adams Morgan.
Watch Foo Fighters’ Homage to Jim Vance
Former Northern Virginia resident Dave Grohl sheds some tears over Vance's decision to leave the 11 PM news.
Jim Vance’s departure from WRC’s 11 PM news broadcast isn’t just a blow for local fans of Washington’s favorite newscaster. Even high-profile expats are mourning the fact that the 73-year-old is stepping away from the late local news, as evidenced by the latest promo for Foo Fighters’ July 4 concert at Robert F. Kennedy Stadium.
The ad, which the band posted on YouTube Thursday evening, features a yokel in a Baltimore Orioles cap watching television on his couch and talking to a “hon” at the Road Ducks reunion. The screen in the video shows a classic Vance moment from 2008, in which he closed out a 6 PM broadcast with a clip from Paris Fashion Week in which a runway model stumbles twice, prompting Vance and George Michael to burst into on-air hysterics. The clip has enjoyed a long run as a viral video and frequently turns up in the top search results for either Vance or “news anchor can’t stop laughing.”
The Foo Fighters ad, which is titled “Jim Vance, we’re gonna miss you,” ends by purportedly cutting into the klutzy model’s reaction to the stumble, except in this shot, the model is replaced by former Springfield resident Dave Grohl, who appears in a blonde wig and tear-streaked makeup before the frame freezes with details for the concert.
Grohl’s tears might be a bit premature. Vance isn’t retiring in full. While his longtime chair at 11 PM will be filled by Jim Handly, Vance plans to stick around on News4’s 6 PM broadcast until his contract runs out in 2017.
Don’t Miss Another Big Story—Get Our Weekend Newsletter
Our most popular stories of the week, sent every Saturday.
Benjamin Freed joined Washingtonian in August 2013 and covers politics, business, and media. He was previously the editor of DCist and has also written for Washington City Paper, the New York Times, the New Republic, Slate, and BuzzFeed. He lives in Adams Morgan.
Most Popular in News & Politics
Capitol Riot Suspect Arrested in DC Airport After Bizarre Series of Events
Why Were Last Night’s Inauguration Fireworks So Amazing?
Biden Removes Trump’s Diet Coke Button—and Makes a Few Other Changes to the Oval Office
Everything You Need to Know About the New First and Second Families
The Internet Is Freaking Out Over Bernie Sanders Social Distancing in His Mittens
Washingtonian Magazine
January 2021: Joe Town!
View IssueSubscribe
Get Us on Social
Get Us on Social
Related
Politico Announces Its New Playbook Team
Martin Di Caro Resurfaces at the Washington Times
Kojo Nnamdi’s Show Will End in April
A VOA Reporter Was Demoted After Asking About Trump’s Defeat. The White House Correspondents’ Association Condemned the Move.
More from News & Politics
DC’s International Spy Museum Will Reopen This Weekend
Capitol Riot Suspect Arrested in DC Airport After Bizarre Series of Events
WAMU Dismisses Two People as Result of Investigation Into Workplace Culture
Anthony Fauci Sure Looks Happy in the Biden Administration
Maryland Congressman Andy Harris Tried to Bring a Gun Into the House Chamber
Quiz: How Well Do You Know Your Local Joe Biden and Kamala Harris Trivia?
Why Were Last Night’s Inauguration Fireworks So Amazing?
Biden Removes Trump’s Diet Coke Button—and Makes a Few Other Changes to the Oval Office